The Daily Tar Heel's 2011 Chapel Hill Town Council endorsements

In Chapel Hill, the harsh reality of having to do more with less appears to be going nowhere. That is, until town leaders embrace what has to be done and make tough decisions. The nine Town Council candidates up for election or re-election today have largely agreed on what needs to be done, echoing each other’s calls for more openness to economic development, more affordable housing and for a Comprehensive Plan that puts the town on a sustainable track. With this general agreement on substance, today’s election is one of style, experience and aptitude. In the Town Council race, we endorse the following:

Donna Bell

When it comes to town issues, Donna Bell takes more of a simplified, yet effective approach.

Bell, a UNC alumna and social worker at Duke University Medical Center, believes that there should always be an exchange of new and innovative ideas to move Chapel Hill forward. She advocates for economic growth through affordable housing, increased town density and the presence of national retailers — all of which Chapel Hill lacks right now. As a current member of eight town boards, Bell has the knowledge and sway to set her plans in motion.

A black resident of the Northside neighborhood, she has also emerged as a crucial ally for her community and Pine Knolls, as both historic neighborhoods take on the issue of student housing.

Today, cooperation between town officials is key, especially with the current update to the town’s Comprehensive Plan. If elected, Bell must encourage cooperation between members so the council’s ideas can eventually become concrete plans. With her background and knowledge of the town, she has the ability to do just this.

Matt Czajkowski

After losing to Mark Kleinschmidt in the closest mayoral race in Chapel Hill history in 2009, Matt Czajkowski could have turned to a strategy of obstruction. Instead, he embraced his role on the Town Council and has stuck with his pro-business message even when it wasn’t the most popular view.

But times have changed. Every candidate seeking election has echoed Czajkowski’s pro-business stance to some degree. This shows the drastic need for economic growth.

He has taken the point on business issues for years and has proven his ability to work in environments that aren’t always conducive to his views. Now that the tides are turning in his favor, he’s in a place to help the town’s bottom line and small businesses.

Lee Storrow

Chapel Hill has been waiting for a Lee Storrow. A recent UNC graduate and managing director of the North Carolina Alliance for Health, Storrow can easily relate to students’ concerns with transit, panhandling downtown and affordable housing — but his platform isn’t child’s play. Neither is his campaign, which is this race’s fundraising frontrunner. Storrow knows that panhandling is fueled by the fresh, sympathetic faces who arrive at the University each year. With restrictions on panhandling already in place, he takes the pragmatic approach of educating students that a couple bucks here and there only enables the problem. He’s also taken the buses to Southpoint and knows that Chapel Hill and Orange County are losing crucial tax revenue to Durham. His idea to increase density downtown, perhaps through affordable housing in the University Square development, shows promise for preserving local small businesses. And his young perspective has offered — and will continue to offer — an underrepresented perspective in the crafting of the Comprehensive Plan.

Jim Ward

With three terms on the Town Council, Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Ward has the institutional memory to lead Chapel Hill through these turbulent times. A horticulturist and member of the Orange County Visitors Bureau, Ward knows how to intertwine sustainability with economic growth — and he knows that tourism plays a key role in the town’s development.

Ward has the inventive idea of taking full advantage of the University, an institution that doesn’t contribute tax dollars to the town, and turning intellectual property into jobs. As a member of the Chapel Hill Transit public transit committee, he has also gained a keen understanding of the value of partnerships, the potential of light rail and has engaged local businesses in the process of improving the transit system.

But he hasn’t let his years of experience get to his head. Like other candidates, he’s put a premium on community involvement in crafting the Comprehensive Plan, an admittedly overdue process. His experience will act as a necessary filter in this process, ensuring that what’s discussed is also possible.

The Daily Tar Heel doesn’t endorse these candidates

Jason Baker

Jason Baker clearly has a vested interest in Chapel Hill, and his commitment to understanding local businesses is commendable. But with a limited number of seats up for grabs, we feel that Storrow better covers the young perspective and Czajkowski has the superior grasp of the town’s business needs.

Augustus Cho

Augustus Cho has shown a clear appetite for public office, running and losing in both the 2009 mayoral and 2008 congressional elections. His luck shouldn’t change this year. Cho’s fiscal platform is covered by other candidates, and his approach to making anti-panhandling ordinances stricter lacks pragmatism. His approach toward the Comprehensive Plan emphasizes public feedback but otherwise gives little direction for the town.

Laney Dale

Laney Dale describes the ideal leader as one who “climbs the tree” and leads with vision — but he doesn’t have that vision quite yet. Dale shows potential, but not for this year.

Jon DeHart

As he himself pointed out, Jon DeHart has both the business experience of a candidate like Czajkowski and the youthful vigor of younger candidates. DeHart refined his message this year, but he still has a ways to go focusing on issues unrelated to business before he can call himself a true alternative.

Carl Schuler

Carl Schuler has freely admitted that he’s unfamiliar with several key issues. On others, he’s failed to articulate clear solutions. More experience is necessary to lead Chapel Hill at this time.